Vocational integration services in community mental health: Professionals' perceptions of training needs

Abstract

Vocational integration in mental health is part of a national initiative to make quality, community-based work a possibility for persons with psychiatric disabilities. While effective delivery of these services requires trained staff, preparing professionals to provide relevant vocationally oriented services is complex and challenging. This study examines perceived priority training needs in vocational integration services from the perspectives of professionals in mental health, rehabilitation, and education organizations in Mississippi. Findings suggest that vocational integration activities are perceived differently across organizations and across occupational specialties. Implications for staff development in community support and psychosocial rehabilitation programs are discussed.

Participation in day centres for people with psychiatric disabilities: Characteristics of occupations

“…There is, thus a need for adequate staff education and transdisciplinary training (30), in order for the staff to be able to utilise the potentials of occupations in such a way that the day centres can meet the heterogeneity of the target group (14) and value and support the individual's choices, involvement and abilities (31). The fact that a certain task can be perceived differently by different visitors underlines that the interplay between the individual visitor, the context and the task performed needs to be considered.…”